| Antec TruePower Quattro 850W Modular PSU TPQ-850 |  |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Power | |
| Written by Olin Coles | |
| Sunday, 09 September 2007 | |
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Page 6 of 6
Final Thoughts: Antec TPQ-850I was pretty hard on the Antec TP3-650 Rev. A2 TruePower Trio 650W PSU when I reviewed it a year ago. I rated it fair, but fair doesn't always mean the results are pretty; and in terms of the old guard it wasn't. But this is another case of that was then and this is now. Antec has really pooled the creative minds together and come up with a winning combination in the Antec TruePower Quattro with the easiest transition from design to execution possible. Who knew that racing stripes could look so cool on a power supply unit? Apparently the answer is Antec, because I'm unaware of anyone pulling this off before them.
While there are just a few little items on my list of recommended improvements, for the most part they are all refinement issues. Changing the cheap white stickers for an informative rail chart will not have any effect on performance or functionality; it will just look better. Adding a protective grommet to the chassis cable hole will improve safety, as would rubber end caps for the unused connections. Otherwise, this unit survives my inspection with no real flaws to be found. ConclusionThe retail packaging managed to contain plenty of important product features and specifications, which would prove helpful for retail buyers comparing items off the shelf. The 80 PLUS logo is also a helpful push towards the check out stand. A semi-gloss black base coat with bright yellow racing stripes really help add flare to the PSU chassis. Additionally the use of clean and uniform modular cable groups has really put this otherwise straight-forward power supply unit into the functional and fashionable category. Power supply units are one of the few computer components which historically have been built solid, but modular cable groups can occasionally diminish that tradition. Antec constructs great products designed to last, and with exception to the protective grommet around the chassis cable inlet, the Antec TruePower Quattro 850W PSU TPQ-850 is built as solid as any power supply unit. 80 PLUS efficiency and active power factor correction is just the beginning, since the list of features extends well beyond efficiency and convenience. The Antec TruePower Quattro TPQ-850 measured average AC ripple readings, and below average DC voltage regulation readings; which still keeps this on the better side of recorded readings we have seen. Still, the stability of four 12-volt rails will certainly become a concern for those operating quad-SLi configurations. Presently the Antec TruePower Quattro TPQ-850 is available at NewEgg.com for $149.99, placing it among the most affordable 850W PSU's available. Although most elite hardware enthusiasts and hardcore gamers will probably go for the TPQ-1000 which sells for $169.99, the value is unbeatable and opens the door for those interested in future-proofing or upgrading their existing system.
In conclusion, the Antec TruePower Quattro 850W PSU TPQ-850 is everything a budget-minded shopper could want, even if they are a serious hardware enthusiast or hardcore gamer. Matching good looks to decent performance, and offer it all for a great value, and then you begin to see why the TruePower Quattro series is going to become a popular product and rewrite the history of the TruePower series. Add to this the modular cable interface, and you have yourself a very efficient, future-ready power supply that even receives Antec's AQ5 – Antec Quality 5-year parts and labor warranty. Pros:
+ Very stable AC ripple Cons:
- DC Power regulation is worse than average Ratings:
• Presentation: 9.25 Final Score: 8.75 out of 10.Questions? Comments? Benchmark Reviews really wants your feedback. We invite you to leave your remarks in our Discussion Forum.
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Comments
But will it balance the USA Budget?!
As if it really matters that by me buying this PS will "Save the environment" !!